What our other readers have said:
Last updated: 5:50 p.m. 05/17/07
Motorcycle, cheap heat, local veggies
My motorcycle gets over a hundred miles per gallon, we're using a friend's property to plant vegetables, and have installed a tile stove.
Alexander Hill, Chaplin, Conn., USA
Reduce 'driving triangle,' buy online
My gasoline bill has actually doubled lately, which means that a large part of my take home pay goes to gasoline. To conserve, I have consciously attempted to reduce my "driving triangle." One needs to drive to work, to the store, and to home. Buying my groceries near my home and working near my home have helped to reduce the distance that I need to drive Monday through Friday, thereby reducing the amount of fuel that I use. We are now at a point where most non-food items can be purchased online, and often the shipping charges are less than the cost of fuel and parking. When buying mail order, I don't need to spend my valuable weekends in traffic only to wait in line for something out of stock.
Joe Ehrlich, Richmond, Calif., USA
Embrace 'alternative workspaces'
I have always been conscious about the gas that I use. I drive a Toyota Corolla that gets 38 miles to the gallon. I used to drive 61 miles to work one way before gas prices started to go up. I proposed to my employer to work from my home office on a permanent basis. I don't miss that drive at all. My current car should last me at least another 5 years. I use audio, web, and video conferencing to attend meetings. It has actually benefitted my employer and myself.
They save by not having to rent office space for me, which means less utilities to pay for. I pay for my own internet connection and get to stay with my kids. If my employer would not have agreed to letting me work from here, I probably would have had to quit my job and find something for a lot less pay in my rural area. I wish that more employers would embrace alternative workspaces.
Micki Johnson, Taylors Falls, Minn., USA
Strategies for the short and long term
There are a few things you can do to your car itself to improve gas mileage. Keeping your tires properly inflated is probably the easiest to do. Also, if your owner's manual calls for regular or mid-grade [gasoline], you won't gain anything by going to a higher grade. If your car knocks at the lower grade, have it checked as it could be as simple as resetting the electronics or fixing a sensor. Learn to anticipate lights. Also remember that the faster the car is going, the more fuel it's (generally) using. For that matter, leaving 30 minutes earlier or 30 minutes later (to avoid rush hour) can save a few gallons a week.
For longer-term things... consider moving closer to work. Ask if you can telecommute on some days, or time-shift to avoid congestion. If your goal is to save money, consider a smaller vehicle. It will likely get better mileage (and cost far less) than the latest hybrid SUV.
Do some walking or riding once in a while. In some places this is not an option, but a quick walk to the post office is healthier and cheaper.
K. Lowe, Pembroke Pines, Fla., USA
Not sustainable
Our mass energy consumption isn't sustainable. The amount we drive isn't sustainable. Our society is designed around cheap fossil fuel energy. Subsidizing fuel by occupying countries is the US's next step to keep our standard of living high.
Prajna Stewart, Eugene, Ore., USA
Smart habits, planning, and sharing a ride
First, I practice smart driving habits like driving slower, accelerating slower, keeping more space between vehicles, and maintaining my vehicle (a new air filter got me 10 percent better mileage). Driving 55 versus 75 improves my mileage by about 20 percent and only costs me 17 seconds per mile driven – I'll catch up to Mr. Speedy at the next stoplight.
Second, I plan my trips so I don't have to drive the same stretch of road five times a day.
Third, I vanpool to work. Instead of a 50 miles a day, I drive six.
Thomas Rice, Los Angeles, Calif., USA
Runs on apples and carrots
We live in Michigan where people are having a hard time paying for everything. The price of gasoline is just another kick in the head. I have said for years that the only solution I see is everyone going back to riding horses.
Sandi Sutton, Howell, Mich., USA
Buy a commuter car
As a retired economics teacher who just bought a Prius and has been stuck in traffic, I think just buy an economical 35 MPG commuter car and let the oil companies hate you, and a lot of problems will be solved.
Harold Raleigh, Garden Grove, Calif., USA
'What else can I do?'
I commute every day to and from work. I have a subcompact car that gets 35 miles to the gallon, and I limit my around town driving as much as possible.
Rich people don't care about high gas prices. Somebody willing to drop $100,000 on a car that gets 8 mpg doesn't care about $3.00/gallon gasoline, or even $5.00/gallon gasoline. Why am I being blamed and told by George W. Bush that I'm "addicted" to gasoline?
Steve Savage, Tulsa, Okla., USA
Lighten the load
Since a car gets better milage the lighter it is, I take out all the extra items from my car and only fill the tank half way in order to lighten it and get more miles per gallon. It's simple, it's free, and it works. Other then that, I would say make sure your tires are properly inflated and your car is tuned up well, make sure the air filter isn't dirty. I also try to drive as little as possible and try to go places that are close to each other in the same trip to save driving.
Stan Szawlowski, Whately, Mass., USA
High gas prices + fair weather = happy cyclist
Consumers do bear some responsibility in this conflict, though one could rightfully point the finger at giant consolidated oil companies, intransigent government policy makers, and a slew of other culprits. High prices combined with fair weather have motivated me to ride a bicycle. Problem solved!
James Smith, Nashville, Tenn., USA
Boost synthetic fuels
I personally see oil companies and the government making a huge profit from the American people. On the other hand, I cannot understand why the greatest country God has ever created has not put a major emphasis on synthetic fuel. Germany did this in World War II. Why don't we? Also in electricity! Is this because of the influence of the oil dictators? Where is the leadership we need to push for what is best for the American people as a whole as far as fuels are concerned? Is there really a "shortage"?
Rick Calhoun, Palacios, Tex., USA
Why complain about gas prices in a free-market economy?
$3.10 per gallon? We'd be thrilled to have those prices in Canada. We're paying $1.30 CAD ($1.10 USD) per liter, which makes our gas much more expensive than yours. Why, in the land of a free market economy, would anyone complain about prices? Why does an extra $0.50 per gallon turn everyone into a socialist? That's the price that the market will bear - time to see how much you really believe in free market economies!
A. Massoud, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Look out, Big Oil
Personally, I hope gasoline hits $5 a gallon or more. Maybe then the masses here in the US will recognize the potential for plug-in electric vehicles. (No I did not say Hybrids...). EV's are already being developed in garages across the US.
Detroit will never market an EV, nor will any other major car manufacturer, as they are all owned or associated with Big Oil. These vehicles will be invented in someone's garage, just as the Harley-Davidson motorcycle was, just as the Model T was, and just as Orville and Wilbur Wright developed the airplane – in a backyard garage. Click on any EV site on the net and see what is being developed in this country by people in their backyards – it is truly amazing. Look out Big Oil, high gas prices will be your demise.
Charles Traylor, Jacksonville, Tex., USA
No choice but to drive
Your poll should have included the choice of "Nothing, I have to drive to get to work, school, etc." I'd change my habits if it were possible. Those people who live in rural and many suburban areas have no choice but to drive, and to pay the high prices.
L. Erikson, Wayne, Ill., USA
Biking it
I commute by bicycle. Riding a bike is much more fun than driving a car. I'm hoping that 50% of any given population will give up driving their cars for distances under 5 miles. With 50% fewer automobiles on the road, riding a bike around town would be a complete joy. I ride a bike 48 weeks out of the year.
Janet Shotwell, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
No more cheap gas
I hope gasoline prices keep going up, up, up!
It will encourage conservation in the US. Gasoline has been too cheap for too long. Americans think its their birthright to have cheap gasoline. Don't like paying $50 to $100 to fill up your tank? Buy a fuel-efficient vehicle. My last fill-up was only $20, and I get 45 mpg.
Gary Luebke, Chicago, USA
America is going Dutch on gas
What is the big deal? Gas prices in the Netherlands are almost $6.50 per gallon now. The era of 25-cent-per-gallon fuel is over, so get used to it.
Kai Urushihara, Galveston, Texas, USA
Only much higher prices will change habits
America has the cheapest gas in the developed world. Ultimately only drastically higher prices can affect change. This will happen eventually as oil runs out, or we can make it happen quickly with a hefty gas tax (like Canada, Europe, Japan, etc.). In the richest country in the world, though, we can't ever expect people to freak out and sell their cars because of a few more dollars per week in gas.
John Chisholm, Freeport, Maine, USA
Vote them out
Living in a rural area we have little choice but to continue driving. We have, however, begun lumping a lot of errands together. The frustrating thing, however, is that it is we, the retirees and low-income families, are being harmed by the prices while the big oil executives receive outrageous bonuses for sitting on their well-padded behinds and living off the sweat of the masses.
Who do we blame but ourselves for allowing our elected officials to get away with their shoddy practices that have led us to this state of affairs? The only way to overcome this inflation of prices is to let our elected officials feel the weight of our vote in any and all upcoming elections.
Clare Buchanan, Interlachen, Fla., USA
Prices could harm patients
I am a hospice nurse working for a non-profit agency. My job requires me to drive all day in order to visit my patients. Although I am reimbursed for my mileage, I worry that the increasing cost of delivering services to our patients will ultimately be a drain on our resources and negatively impact their care. We can't all afford to go out and buy new hybrid vehicles. We need a less expensive solution to this problem and we need it soon!
Lisa Rall, Santa Rosa, Calif., USA
What about bicycles?
In the reader survey, I wanted to check off that we are riding bikes more, and I was surprised that wasn't an option.
We haven't been to a gas station in several years. We're glad to see the price of gas go above the price of biodiesel, making this domestic, renewable fuel more attractive to vehicle owners. We'd like to see the price of petroleum products go much higher as an impetus to replace fossil fuel use with more conservation, less commuting, and a wholesale shift to renewable energy.
Jerry McIntire, Portland, Ore., USA
Small is beautiful
I can well afford the higher gas prices, but I refuse to buy more than 20 gallons per in protest of the excessive profits in the industry. I also buy nothing in malls or other stores except for the basic minimum of foods that I need and that are grown within 100 miles of my home. I have reduced my wardrobe to the minimum needed in order to go to work. My workplace is within a mile of my home. As a member of the Schumacher Society, I believe that "small is beautiful," and I try to convince others of that fact. I frankly look forward to seeing a recession that will force the public to come to their ecological senses.
JB Bauer, Milwaukee, Wis., USA
Gas in the US is cheap ...
Gasoline in the US is cheap, cheap, cheap, and the only reason anyone would think otherwise is because most of the American media whips up this hysteria. Gas in the US must be cheap ... otherwise why would people buy SUVs, vans, and huge cars while Europeans and Asians buy small, fuel-efficient vehicles. Gas in the US must be cheap ... if it were expensive, people would cut down on its use, and if they did, wouldn't that be a good thing?
Jamie MacKinnon, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Car converted to run on vegetable oil
I've converted my car (V.W. Jetta TDI) to run on used vegetable oil. It works great – I get 42 mpg on either diesel or veggie oil. I'm doing a 6000 miles, around-the-country trip this summer to promote creative alternatives to our dependence on fossil fuels and raise awareness of global warming. A car running on used veggie oil neither uses fossil fuel nor contributes global warming CO2. Moving to an economy that promotes efficiency, conservation, and alternatives to fossil fuels is both prudent and possible.
Ken Friesen, Fresno, Calif., USA
Only major gas increase will change behavior
I'm not changing my habits since I only drive on weekends. My only hope is that gas goes up to $4-5/gallon or more. Then we will see rapid behavioral change by both the citizenry and later the government. Picture clean air, uncrowded quiet streets, locally supported economies, and revived community spirit.
Jeff Lerner, Monterey, Calif., USA
Clump errands into single outings
I have reorganized my out-of-home trips, I now clump all errands together for a single trip. I drive only to and from work, eat lunch at work rather than out. and walk to the grocery store that is six blocks from my house for the small things, like fresh fruit and veggies that I can't stock up on during my regular shopping trip. I don't go out so much, all together it keeps me from spending money on things that I don't really need. I'm planning to ride my bike to work 1-2 days a week this summer, my newest stay-in-shape/savings plan. I guess it's not so bad because it does make my lifestyle a bit more ecofriendly.
Amy Schroeder, Everett, Wash., USA
Done with driving
I have in the last three months stopped driving pretty much altogether since the price of diesel has gone up and up. I live in the middle of town and pretty much walk every where I go. It great exercise and good for the environment. I started to change my way of thinking ever since I watched the movie "An Inconvenient Truth."
Terry Iverson, Hermiston, Ore., USA
Feeling the crunch
Those of us on the lower end of the economic ladder have felt the direct affects of soaring gas and energy prices more than others.
I sold my Ford Taurus and bought a Toyota Corolla. On one hand, I am getting about 20% better gas mileage, but I am paying as much now to fill up the Corolla now as I did the Taurus just one year ago. I never run errands alone anymore. I've also cut back on discretionary spending. Fewer movies and books, less eating out and entertainment.
Liz Lewis, Montgomery, Ala., USA
$3.17 a bargain for some
I smiled when I saw the photo on your website that showed the price of gas at $3.17. In San Francisco, you can add at least 50 cents to that price!
Yes, my habits have changed. I now walk to the grocery store and downtown, and take public transportation when I go to the East Bay. I also plan my trips a bit more carefully – no spur-of-the-moment excursions just because I want to get out of town.
Chuck Gee, San Francisco, Calif., USA
Cutting back
I'm paying a lot more attention to my driving, consolidating trips and errands and really questioning what I'm doing each time I get in the car, unless I'm going to work. I'm walking more in my immediate neighborhood – within a 2 miles radius. I'm foregoing the pleasure of driving into town. I imagine my nonessential spending will diminish as a result of this; too bad for purveyors of unnecessary goods. I am working out a schedule where I can bus it to one of my two part-time jobs at least once a week. Today it was $3.43 at the "cheap" gas station.
Laura Francillon, Portland, Ore., USA
A new outlook
Bicycling part of the way to work has been great. I drive my car part of the way because it would be too long otherwise. The cycling portion of the commute is absolutely the best part! I enjoy the outdoors, I arrive at work with lots of energy, and I save money on the gasoline. The regular nature of the riding makes the differences of every morning all that more obvious. It's a great way to start the day. Riding to and from work has changed my outlook on life.
Bruce MacLeod, Orrs Island, Maine, USA
